Ad-agency game

ABSTRACT

A game and game board which is symbolic to real life scenarios incurred within the advertising business. Each player is an ad-agency president. Each player/president attains throughout the game numerous cards each of which represent a staff member, an executive or a client/account. The cards each have a numerical value associated therewith. Each player/president tries to obtain new client/accounts and retain existing client/accounts, just like in real life. The first player/president to obtain client/accounts equal to a pre-determined monetary value wins the game.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The game of the present invention relates to games in general but more particularly pertains to a game and game board which is symbolic to real life scenarios incurred within the advertising business. Each player is an ad-agency president. Each player/president attains throughout the game numerous cards each of which represent a staff member, an executive or a client/account. The cards each have a numerical value associated therewith. Each player/president tries to obtain new client/accounts and retain existing client/accounts, just like in real life. The first player/president to obtain client/accounts equal to a pre-determined monetary value wins the game.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present game was developed as a result of the creator actually being in the advertising business for most of their life. Over the years the creator became exceptionally knowledgeable about the many variable aspects and unusual circumstances associated with winning, retaining and losing individual ad-agency business accounts. As a result the creator was inspired to create a new, novel and fun game which can be played by all ages. The game utilizes strategic skills of which may be useful for individuals who are interested (or currently employed) in an exciting advertising career. Nowhere in the prior art known to the applicant is there a game and game board which can actually simulate and may teach real to life advantageous skills for improving one's career.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The game utilizes a novel and unique game board, multiple unique decks of cards, various types of dice, busy-boxes and various game pieces, such as individual player icons and individual markers of which are associated with each of the individual player icons. The game can be played by two to six players. One embodiment for the game and game board is intended for use by adults as it may utilize adult activities and/or adult “real to life” situations. However, another embodiment for the game and game board can be played by younger individuals having knowledge of numbers and basic mathematics.

Novel features of the game include various cards each describing individual job seekers/staffers, individual executives and various cards defining the client/accounts. The card associated with each individual job seeker/staffers and executive includes information pertaining to their unique personality, their strengths and weaknesses, and also provides a numerical value reflective of their performance. The card associated with each client/account includes information pertaining to their account and also provides a numerical value reflective to the value of the account. Another stack of cards is included, each of which are entitled “nonsense” and each provide a description of an unusual non-anticipated circumstance which is incurred by the player when picking the card. Also, each stack of cards is color-coded for various purposes. Other novel and unique features of the game and game board will become apparent when taken into consideration with the following description of the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is substantially an overview for one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the written game play instructions and/or manual.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a custom die having different cities identified on each side thereof.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a pair of dice, each one having numerical values on each side thereof.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a first deck of cards.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second deck of cards.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a third deck of cards.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a fourth deck of cards.

FIG. 9 is an overview illustrating one embodiment for a busy box when in various positions when a user is preparing for play.

FIG. 10 is an overview illustrating the busy box of FIG. 9 when assembled during play.

FIG. 11 is illustrative of the underside of the removable lid associated with the busy box.

FIG. 12 is illustrative of the backside of one of the cards from the first deck of cards.

FIG. 13 is illustrative of the backside of one of the cards from the second deck of cards.

FIG. 14 is illustrative of the backside of one of the cards from the third deck of cards.

FIG. 15 is illustrative of the backside of one of the cards from the fourth deck of cards.

FIG. 16 is illustrative of the backside of one of the cards from the fourth deck of cards.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a six sided custom die illustrating various instructional indicia thereon.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the six sided custom die of FIG. 17 illustrating the other sides having various instructional indicia thereon.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now in detail to the drawings wherein like characters refer to like elements throughout the various views. With reference to FIG. 1, (10) represents a general overview of the preferred embodiment for the present invention of which is an ad-agency game. The game including a game board (12) which can be made from any suitable material of engineering choice, such as cardboard, laminated paper, plastic, wood, etc. The game board (12) having various playing sites arranged in a path thereon.

The various playing sites including a start playing site (14) which includes indicia thereon of engineering choice such as “NEW YEAR”, “START”, “BEGINNING”, etc. The various playing sites including staff playing sites and/or executive playing sites (16) each of which have indicia thereon pertaining to the name of an executive member, their status such as Vice-President, etc., their department of specialty and each include a numerical value associated therewith. Furthermore, the executive playing sites (16) are also color coded as later defined herein. The various playing sites further including pitch playing sites (18), challenge playing sites (20), fire playing sites (22), hire playing sites (24), nonsense playing sites (26), an airport playing site (28), a subway playing site (30), a bar playing site (32), an alley playing section (58) and a golf course playing site (33). Each of the individual playing sites will be described and defined later herein.

The game board (12) further including indicia (34) thereon identifying different cities of engineering choice, such as Pittsburgh, San Francisco, Minneapolis, Detroit, Dallas, Cincinnati, etc. The game board (12) further having indicia thereon (36) identifying a passage point as later defined herein.

The ad-agency game further having written game play instructions (38) with rules, see FIG. 2. FIG. 3 depicts at least one die (40) having cities identified on each side thereof corresponding to the previously identified different cities. The game further includes a pair of dice (42) each one having numerical values on each side thereof as depicted in FIG. 4. Depicted in FIGS. 17 & 18 is an enlarged view of a six-sided custom die (41) having three sides which instruct the player to go to the alley, one side instructs the player to go to the New Year playing site (14), one side instructs the player to go to the bar playing site (32) and one side instructs the player that nothing happens. The ad-agency game further including a first deck of cards (44), a second deck of cards (46), a third deck of cards (48) and a fourth deck of cards (50), (see FIGS. 5-8) each deck of cards being later described herein.

As depicted in FIGS. 9-a, 9-b, 9-c, 10 and 11, the ad-agency game further includes multiple busy-boxes (52) which function as receptacles for supporting various game pieces and individual cards therein. It is to be noted only one busy box (52) is depicted however there are six included with the game. Each busy-box (52) may be of any suitable shape or size of engineering choice. Therefore the following is only exemplary of one suitable embodiment. Each busy-box (52) is of a novel shape of which allows individual cards (44) to be positioned therein after the busy-box(s) (52) has been opened. Each busy-box (52) includes an internal compartment (62) having an open top section (64) and a removable lid (66). The removable lid (66) includes a downwardly protruding extension (68) which is of a shape and size to be frictionally inserted into the open top section (64) and retained therein when the busy-box is in a closed position as illustrated in FIG. 9-a. The downwardly protruding extension (68) includes a downwardly extending container (70) having an access opening (72) for storage of individual player icons (54) (only one shown) and a set of markers (56) when the busy-box (52) is in a closed position. The removable lid (66) includes a first end (66-a) and a second end (66-b). The first end (66-a) is of a length longer than the length of the busy-box (52) thus the first end (66-a) protrudes outwardly from one end of the busy-box when in a closed position as illustrated in FIG. 9-a. Whereby, the first end (66-a) functions as a finger grip for easy removal of the removable lid (66). The busy-box (52) further includes an external receptacle (74) on one end thereof as illustrated in FIGS. 9-a) and (10). The external receptacle (74) is of a shape and size to slideably receive the first end (66-a) therein when the busy-box (52) is in an open position as illustrated in FIG. 10. Whereby, when the player wishes to open the busy-box (52) they simply grasp the finger grip (which is the first end 66-a) and pull upward until the removable lid disengages. Thereafter the player positions the removable lid (66) into an upward tilted position (as illustrated in FIG. 9-b) which results in the player icon (54) and the player markers (56) to fall out from within the container (70) and fall into the internal compartment (62). Thereafter, the player flips the removable lid (66) so as the first end (66-a) extends in a downward position and slideably inserts the first end downwardly into the external receptacle (74) (as illustrated in FIG. 10) until the removable lid sits upright in a secure manner. Thereafter, when a player has cards of which must be placed in the busy-box (52) they are conveniently stored until removed. Thereafter, the player can easily remove their player icon (54) and/or their player markers (56) from within the internal compartment (62) of the busy-box (52) when needed for play.

The game pieces including individual player icons (54) (only one shown in FIG. 9) and sets of markers (56) (only one set shown in FIG. 9). The individual player icons (54) are color coded to match one of the sets of markers (56) so as to differentiate each player by their color. It is to be noted the player icons (54) can be of any shape or size of engineering choice. However, in the preferred embodiment the icons are in the form/shape of a type of transportation, such as a sports car, taxi, bus, jet, train, limo or the like. Whereby, each individual player can choose an icon that fits their personality and sense of frugality of their liking. Also, the individual markers (56) can be of any shape or size of engineering choice, such as square, circular, triangular, etc. Furthermore, the markers (56) and the icons (54) are made from any suitable material of engineering choice, such as plastic, wood, etc. and are of a material which allows the markers (56) and the associated player icons (54) to be color coded the same.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 12 wherein is depicted the first deck of cards (44). Each card within the first deck of cards includes a front side and a backside. The front side (as shown in FIG. 5) displays indicia thereon of which is descriptive thereto so as to differentiate the cards from the other decks of cards. For example, the first deck of cards is entitled “JOB-SEEKERS” as indicated on the front side. The backside (as shown in FIG. 12) of each card within the first deck of cards (44) includes indicia thereon describing the particulars about that specific job seeker. It is to be noted each card within the first deck of cards is different and describes a different job seeker. For example, FIG. 12 depicts the backside of one of the “JOB-SEEKERS” cards. The job seekers card first identifies the job seekers name, in this example the name is “Chatterton Hedke”. Secondly, below the name is their job title and department of expertise, in this example the job seeker is an “Account Executive” and his department of expertise is “Account Service”. Thirdly, below their job title and department of expertise is a numerical value for the particular job seeker which is reflective of their job performance, in this example the numerical value is (4). It is to be noted the higher the numerical value the stronger the job seeker's performance and strength. The lesser the numerical value the weaker the job seeker's performance and strength. Fourthly, below the numerical value is a brief description about the job seekers strengths, weaknesses and personalities. In this example the brief description is “Will this guy ever shut up! You don't want him on your new business team . . . unless you want an excuse for losing! Therefore, each of the “JOB-SEEKERS” cards includes the job seekers “name, title, color coded department of expertise, a numerical value and a brief description”. Furthermore it is to be noted there can be any amount of job seekers cards of engineering choice, such as 75 or the like.

It is to be further noted the job seekers “job title and “department of expertise” are color coded. Within the real world of advertising agencies there are numerous departments. The ad-agency game of the present invention can include any amount of departments of engineering choice. Therefore the following departments are only exemplary thus the ad-agency game is not limited thereto. In this example there are three departments. The first department is the “Creative Department” wherein there are writers and art directors who create ads along with production experts in various fields from television to digital media such as banner ads, etc. For exemplary purposes the “Creative Department” is color coded “RED”. The “Media Department” includes job seekers whom decide which medium (television, radio, digital, etc.) is the most effective to motivate customers and prospects. For exemplary purposes the “Media Department” is color coded “GREEN”. The “Account Service Department” includes job seekers who interact with the client to help establish marketing strategy such as who are the best prospects, best location to focus on, how much they may consume and/or buy, etc. For exemplary purposes the “Account Service Department” is color coded “BLUE”.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 13 wherein is depicted the second deck of cards (46). Each card within the second deck of cards includes a front side and a backside. The front side (as shown in FIG. 6) displays indicia thereon of which is descriptive thereto so as to differentiate the cards from the other decks of cards. For example, the second deck of cards is entitled “EXECUTIVES” as indicated on the front side. The front side of each card of the second deck of cards is also color coded to further differentiate the cards from the other decks of cards. For exemplary purposes the front side of each card of the second deck of cards is “GOLD”. The backside (as shown in FIG. 13) of each card within the second deck of cards (46) includes indicia thereon describing the particulars about that specific executive. It is to be noted each card within the second deck of cards is different and describes a different executive. For example, FIG. 13 depicts the backside of one of the “EXECUTIVES” cards. The executive card first identifies the executives name, in this example the name is “Nesbitt Wedding”. Secondly, below the name is their job title and department of expertise, in this example the executive is an “Executive Vice President” and his department of expertise is “Media Director”. Thirdly, below their job title and department of expertise is a numerical value for the particular executive which is reflective of their job performance, in this example the numerical value is (14). It is to be noted the higher the numerical value the stronger the executive's performance and strength. The lesser the numerical value the weaker the executive's performance and strength. Fourthly, below the numerical value is a brief description about the executive's strengths, weaknesses and personalities. In this example the brief description is “Blessed with a great name and great skills. Nesbitt is the kind of guy every agency wants”. Therefore, each of the “EXECUTIVES” cards includes the executives “name, title, color coded department of expertise, a numerical value and a brief description”. Furthermore it is to be noted there can be any amount of executive cards of engineering choice, such as 24 or the like. However, each of the executives have a corresponding playing site (14) on the game board (12) as a player can only obtain an executives card if they land on the corresponding playing site (14). Therefore the amount of executive cards is equal to the amount of executive playing sites (14). It is to be further noted the executives “job title and “department of expertise” are color coded, such as RED, GREEN OR BLUE, so as to differentiate the different departments as previously described herein.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 14 wherein is depicted the third deck of cards (48). Each card within the third deck of cards includes a front side and a backside. The front side (as shown in FIG. 7) displays indicia thereon of which is descriptive thereto so as to differentiate the cards from the other decks of cards. For example, the third deck of cards is entitled “CLIENTS” as indicated on the front side. The backside (as shown in FIG. 14) of each card within the third deck of cards (48) includes indicia thereon describing the particulars about that specific client. It is to be noted each card within the third deck of cards is different and describes a different client. For example, FIG. 14 depicts the backside of one of the “CLIENTS” cards. The client card first identifies the clients name, in this example the name is “Mississippi Shipping Company”. Secondly, below the name is a slogan of which is currently utilized by the company. It is to be noted each slogan is a bit comical and not prolific for success of the company. As a result it is clear as to the reason the client/company is in need of a much more professional advertising agency. For example the slogan is ““Most of your stuff most of the time . . . guaranteed!” Obviously, this is not a good slogan for a shipping company. Thirdly, below the slogan is a numerical value for the particular client which is reflective of their monetary value, in this example the numerical monetary value is (16 million). It is to be noted the higher the numerical monetary value the more valuable the company is for the player. The lesser the numerical monetary value the less valuable the company is for the player. Fourthly, below the numerical monetary value is listed the requirements for each player to be able to “pitch” to win the client/company account. In this example the requirements are the player must have either one of the job seekers cards or one of the executives cards of whom are specialized in the account service department, one in the creative department and two in the media department. Note, to win the “pitch” the details will be described later herein, under the description of the rules.

Referring now to FIGS. 8, 15 & 16 wherein is depicted the fourth deck of cards (50). Each card within the fourth deck of cards includes a front side and a backside. The front side (as shown in FIG. 8) displays indicia thereon of which is descriptive thereto so as to differentiate the cards from the other decks of cards. For example, the fourth deck of cards is entitled “NONSENSE” as indicated on the front side. The backside (as shown in FIGS. 15 & 16) of each card within the forth deck of cards (50) includes indicia thereon describing an unlucky/lucky circumstance or consequence the player is subjected too when picking one of the nonsense cards. It is to be noted each card within the fourth deck of cards is different and describes a different unlucky/lucky circumstance or consequence. For example, FIG. 15 depicts the backside of one of the “NONSENSE” cards whereon the unlucky circumstance and consequence of which the player is subjected too, is “Terminate one job seeker! You were the one that put the no nepotism rule in place. Now that two of your job seekers are getting married. One has to go! An example of a lucky circumstance or consequence is depicted in FIG. 16 wherein the lucky circumstance is “OMG! You have actually gotten a good break. Put your marker on ANY GOLD SQUARE AND TAKE THAT EXECUTIVE whether the executive is employed by another agency or is in the executive's deck.” It is to be noted any amount of “NONSENSE” cards of engineering choice may be utilized, such as 27 or the like.

Referring now to the rules of play wherein the ad-agency game play instructions include first dealing an equal amount of cards from the first deck of cards (44) to each individual player. Secondly, positioning face down one card from said third deck of cards (48) onto indicia identifying different cities. Thirdly, each individual player selects one of the multiple receptacles (52). Fourthly, each individual player positions one of the individual icons (54) onto the New Year playing site (14). Fifthly, each individual player rolls the pair of dice having numerical values (42) on each side thereof. Sixthly, the individual player who rolls the highest number on the pair of dice having numerical values on each side thereof (42) will play first. Seventhly, the first player then rolls at least one die from the pair of dice having numerical values (42) on each side thereof. Eighthly, the first player advances by positioning their chosen one of the individual icons forward an equal amount of the playing sites equal to the numerical values displayed on a top side of the pair of dice (42). Ninthly, the first player initiates a consequential action associated with the one of the various playing sites of which they landed on. Thereafter, each individual player takes a turn and initiates the consequential action associated with one of the various playing sites they land on.

Each of the consequential actions associated with the various playing sites are as follows. The consequence of each of the staff playing sites and or executive playing sites (16) include indicia thereon which is associated with an executive, whereby the individual player hires the staff member or executive by picking the associated card from the second deck of cards (46), then the individual player retains the associated card, then the individual player positioning one of their individual markers onto the associated staff playing site. The consequential action associated with the pitch playing sites includes a competition between all players to win a client selected from the third deck of cards (48). The consequential action associated with the challenge playing sites includes the individual player picking another individual player for a challenge to win a client card owned by the last said individual player. The consequential action associated with the fire playing sites includes the individual player returning a card to either the first deck of cards (44) or the second deck of cards (46). The consequential action associated with the hire playing sites includes the individual player picking a card from the first deck of cards (44). The consequential action associated with the nonsense playing sites includes the individual player picking a card from the fourth deck of cards (50) having indicia thereon describing an unlucky/lucky circumstance. The consequential action associated with the airport playing site includes the individual player rolling the one die having cities identified on each side thereof corresponding to the different cities. The individual player then takes the one card which was pre-positioned onto the indicia identifying different cities of which is associated with one of the different cities displayed on the top side of the one die having cities identified on each side thereof corresponding to the different cities.

Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made there from within the scope and spirit of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatuses. 

Having described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:
 1. An ad-agency game comprising: a game board; said game board having various playing sites arranged in a path thereon, said various playing sites including a start playing site, staff playing sites, pitch playing sites, challenge playing sites, fire playing sites, hire playing sites, nonsense playing sites, at least one airport playing site, said game board having indicia thereon identifying different cities, said game board having indicia identifying a passage point, said ad-agency game comprising: game play instructions with rules, at least one die having cities identified on each side thereof corresponding to said different cities, a pair of dice having numerical values on each side thereof, a first deck of cards entitled job seekers each of which are given a numerical value, a second deck of cards entitled executives each of which are given a numerical value, a third deck of cards having entitled clients each of which are given a monetary value, a fourth deck of cards entitled nonsense each having indicia thereon describing an unlucky/lucky circumstance, each said deck of cards being color-coded to differentiate between each said deck of cards, multiple receptacles for supporting various game pieces, said game pieces comprising: individual player icons and individual markers of which are associated with each said individual player icons.
 2. The ad-agency game of claim 1 wherein said game play instructions with rules comprising: dealing an equal amount of cards from said first deck of cards to each individual player, positioning face down one card from said third deck of cards onto said indicia identifying different cities, each said individual player selecting one of said multiple receptacles, each said individual player positioning one of said individual icons onto said start playing site, each said individual player rolls said pair of dice having numerical values on each side thereof, said individual player who rolls the highest number on said pair of dice having numerical values on each side thereof will play first, last said individual player rolls at least one die from said pair of dice having numerical values on each side thereof, last said individual player advances by positioning their chosen one of said individual icons forward an equal amount of said various playing sites equal to said numerical values displayed on a top side of said pair of dice, said last individual player initiates a consequential action associated with said one of said various playing sites, each said individual player takes a turn thereafter and initiates said consequential action associated with said one of said various playing sites.
 3. The ad-agency game of claim 2 wherein said consequential action associated with one of said various playing sites comprising: said consequential action associated with said staff playing sites comprising: each said staff playing sites having indicia thereon which is associated with one of said individual staff members, said individual player hires one of said individual staff members by picking the associated card from said first deck of cards, said individual player retaining said associated card, said individual player positioning one of said individual markers onto the associated staff playing site, said consequential action associated with said pitch playing sites comprising: a competition between all players to win one of said individual clients selected from said second deck of cards, said consequential action associated with said challenge playing sites comprising: said individual player picks another said individual player for a challenge to win one of said individual clients cards owned by last said individual player, said consequential action associated with said fire playing sites comprising: said individual player must return a card to one of said deck of cards, said consequential action associated with said hire playing sites comprising: said individual player picks a card from said first deck of cards, said consequential action associated with said nonsense playing sites comprising: said individual player picks a card from said fourth deck of cards having indicia thereon describing an unlucky/lucky circumstance, said consequential action associated with said airport playing site comprising: said individual player rolls said one die having cities identified on each side thereof corresponding to said different cities, said individual player then takes the one card which was pre-positioned onto said indicia identifying different cities of which is associated with one of said different cities displayed on the top side of said one die having cities identified on each side thereof corresponding to said different cities. 